Sunday, March 25, 2012

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has pledged his full support to UN envoy Kofi Annan's efforts to find a way to end the year-long violence in Syria.

Speaking at a meeting between the two men at a Moscow airport, Mr Medvedev said the mission "may be the last chance for Syria to avoid a protracted bloody civil war".

"We will be offering you our full support at any level in which we have a say," he said. "We very much hope that your efforts have a positive outcome."

But Mr Medvedev also stated foreign support for the Syrian opposition was the main obstacle to peace in the country.

Mr Annan's meeting with the Russian president comes days after Moscow followed through on unprecedented criticism of Syrian President Bashar al Assad by finally backing a UN Security Council call on his forces to pull out of protest cities. Read More